INDEPENDENT LIVING FAQ
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE INDEPENDENT LIVING?
There are lots of great reasons to choose Independent Living at Mirador. First of all, it’s been proven that people age better when living in a community filled with friends, plenty of social interactions and meaningful activities. Secondly, we take care of all the cooking and cleaning for you, so you can spend your days doing the things you want to do. And finally, our on-site 24/7 staff is always available, giving you a sense of safety and security should you ever need help with anything at any time.
CAN MY GRANDCHILDREN, FAMILY AND FRIENDS VISIT?
Of course they can. Feel free to have guests visit you whenever you’d like. And just like you, they are welcome to enjoy all the recreational facilities, dining, amenities, and activities Mirador has to offer.
Will I have a voice in my community?
We want you to be heard. That’s why we encourage our residents to participate in the community’s resident council. This way you can actively participate in decisions that affect programming, dining, activities, outings, and more. Also, feel free to stop by our Executive Director’s office anytime to discuss your concerns or ideas.
Life Care FAQ
DO I OWN MY APARTMENT?
Well, no. But we encourage you to call it the best of both worlds. Your refundable entrance deposit will make living here feel like a safe investment – much like owning your own home. But on the other hand, because maintenance is provided, you’ll discover the simple joy of maintenance-provided living, where you phone, and we strap on our tool belt and come runnin’. Mirador owns and maintains the property, and you reside there as long as you can live independently. Plus, because you aren’t the homeowner, you won’t pay property taxes or property insurance.
WHAT WILL I PAY TO ENTER THE COMMUNITY?
Your entrance deposit will be competitive with Coastal Bend home values. There is more than one Life Care plan, and depending on the plan you select, your entrance deposit will be largely refundable when you leave. So does this sound like superior estate protection? It is. Ask our sales team about the various refundable contracts available.
HOW IS MY MONTHLY FEE CALCULATED?
Your monthly service fee will be competitive with those at other communities in the Coastal Bend area. The fee is determined by the apartment home you choose. What’s more, a portion of your monthly service fee may be tax-deductible as a medical expense – we’ll give you the amount, and you can check with your tax advisor.
WHAT IF I OUTLIVE MY SAVINGS?
We’ve never evicted a resident for nonpayment due to no fault of their own (long life isn’t a fault), and we don’t intend to start now. You’re welcome to call us to discuss how we’ve handled this in the past. We’ll explain how our Covenant Program, which is supported by contributions from residents and others, can support those residents whose financial resources become depleted.
ASSISTED LIVING FAQ
ARE APARTMENT HOMES FURNISHED?
No. You have the freedom to furnish and decorate any way you wish. Bring treasured furniture and belongings or make a fresh start with new pieces that make everyday living even more comfortable.
DO YOU OFFER ACTIVITIES?
Yes! Each day is filled with opportunities to build new friendships through activity choices, socials, and entertainment, as well as access to life-enriching services and amenities around the community.
ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET OUT AND ABOUT?
Absolutely! In addition to private transportation services for physician visits and other needs, there are frequent group shopping, dining, and entertainment excursions to many popular off-campus venues.
WHAT IF I OR MY LOVED ONE NEED MORE HELP THAN CAN BE PROVIDED BY ASSISTED LIVING?
Mirador is a CCRC community that provides a full continuum of care. In addition to Assisted living you’ll also have access to Long-term Care, Memory Care, and Short-term Rehabilitation services.
MEMORY CARE FAQ
HOW IS MEMORY SUPPORT DIFFERENT FROM ASSISTED LIVING?
A resident Living with memory loss, whether from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, requires a unique kind of care and attention. They need to be in specially designed surroundings with specially trained professionals who can work closely with the resident, and their family, to provide compassionate care that meets their distinct needs. Our care is guided by The Eden Alternative methods which empower the resident’s autonomy at every turn.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?
Dementia is a loss of cognitive functions (thinking, reasoning, the ability to remember) that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. It’s important to understand, dementia itself isn’t a disease, though it often accompanies diseases like Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, is a disease and is responsible for 60%-80% of dementia cases. It’s a progressive, degenerative brain disease that affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. 1 in 8 people over age 65 has Alzheimer’s, which affects women more than men.
IS MEMORY SUPPORT STAFF SPECIALLY TRAINED?
Absolutely. Memory Support staff members are carefully trained individuals who have chosen to specialize in helping those with memory loss due to dementia or Alzheimer’s. They are uniquely qualified for working in this area and bring an extraordinary level of compassion and expertise. Each of our Care Partners goes through Hand-in-hand training which is designed to maximize independence along with MRC’s training program to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Skilled Nursing FAQ
HOW DO I KNOW IF I, OR MY LOVED ONE, NEEDS SKILLED NURSING CARE?
When there’s an illness that doesn’t require hospitalization but requires more help than home care and outpatient care can handle. Here are some conditions that often require Skilled Nursing:
- Cardiac failure
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s disease
- Severe osteoarthritis
- Stroke
- Other major illness
WHAT’S SHORT-TERM Rehabilitation AND WHAT’S LONG-TERM SKILLED NURSING?
Short-term Skilled Nursing usually means that a resident will return home once treatment is completed. Long-term Skilled Nursing, on the other hand, is treatment of illness that is prolonged and indefinite. In this case, returning home may no longer be an option.
HOW CAN I BE PREPARED FOR ENTERING SKILLED NURSING CARE?
To make your transition to Skilled Nursing Care as seamless as possible, please provide this information when you come:
- Health insurance, with policy numbers of private medical insurance, prescription plan, Medicare, long-term care insurance, plus vision and dental (if applicable).
- Medical information, with doctor and pharmacy contact, medical diagnoses, allergies and drug sensitivities, health history, and a health event log with hospitalizations, surgeries and major health events (if any).
- Medications, including (for each) the name, dosage, how and when to take it, why it was prescribed, start and stop dates, whether monitoring is required, the doctor who prescribed it and if there are any side effects.
- If you hold the patient’s Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, bring a copy. If you have a copy of their advance medical directives, such as a Do Not Resuscitate order (DNR) or a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment form (POLST), please bring it.
short-term REHAB FAQ
WHAT TYPES OF THERAPY DO YOU OFFER?
We offer three main areas of therapy:
- Physical Therapy - This helps you regain strength, mobility and balance.
- Occupational Therapy – This aims to improve your ability to perform everyday tasks.
- Speech Therapy – This helps enhance communication and eating or swallowing skills.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM SPEECH THERAPY?
We have a team of skilled speech and language pathologists who are trained to address the unique concerns that can emerge with aging. From communication issues to swallowing dysfunction, you’ll have treatment plans designed to help with your specific needs.
WHO WILL BE INVOLVED IN MY CARE?
Your team will include a doctor, nurse, social worker, dietician and appropriate therapists. They will work together to provide the ideal care and guide the rehabilitation process with your direct input.
